Many people who aren't familiar with guns tend to shy away from them, thinking they're too dangerous. Sporting clays instructor Dave Sanger says, it's a lot of fun and something all ages can enjoy once you learn that safety comes first.

"I associate gun safety with the question who loves you more than anyone else in the world? Who would be upset if anything ever happened to you? Of course, your mother right? Well what are the first three letters in mother? M,O,T. M stands for mussel, O stands for open action, and T stands for trigger."

Out on the skeet field, Dave Sanger teaches the technique of breaking a target. He says, shooting a shot gun is different from a rifle.
You keep both eyes open and take a forward aggressive stance, like boxing. Sanger says, he's seen an increase in families wanting to learn to shoot together.

That's how Sheri Maggert got started. She says, she saw other women out on the field and decided to get over her fears and give it a try. "I've always been afraid of guns. I've seen gun accidents happen, but once you do the Hunters Safety Course and pass that, then you understand guns aren't as dangerous as people think if people just take the ten commandments and safety rules and comply by them."

Now, she's hooked, and so is Sheila Campbell, who's been shooting for almost ten years. Campbell says, what she enjoys most is this sport isn't based on strength. While it's still predominately men shooting, women and children can keep up and play the game. Campbell says, it's not as hard as it looks.

There's a Sporting Clays Tournament beginning Thursday, November 19th through the 22nd at Sage Hill Gun Club. For more information visit www.sagehillclays.com.